Expedition Mindset Course 2025

Overview

The Expedition Mindset Course takes attendees through Studio D's extensive process to navigate complex environments. It emphasises a collaborative team culture, adaptability, and rapid problem solving to elegantly navigate high-pressure/high-stakes situations—the skills from which can be applied to a wide range of workplace challenges. More context.

Approach

The Expedition Mindset Course is online and semi-structured, whereby attendees regularly meet on Zoom calls, and are guided through a series of planning activities. These are then reviewed and discussed by the cohort and instructor on the calls and via asynchronous channels. Over time we will build a knowledge base, that sets the expedition team/s up for success. 

We will use the summer 2025 MAP Expedition as the primary case study, exposing attendees to a diverse range of real world challenges which the team on the ground will need to overcome. Attendees may also develop materials for their own expedition, in parallel to this case study. 

Note: Completing this course is a prerequisite to be a part of the 2025 MAP Expedition. 

Course Schedule

The cadence of the 60-90 minute Zoom calls are aligned to the task load on a typical expedition planning schedule that assumes a July-onwards start date:

• March 15th, 2025 - Kick off call
• April 2nd, 16th
• May 6th, 19th
• June 2nd, 16th, 28th

Start Time: 17:00 EST / 21:00 GMT / 6:00 JST (+1 day)

Dates based on US time zones. Times can be changed to optimally accommodate attendees’ time zones. We will send out calendar invites ahead of time.

The course is completed by June 28th, 2025.

Additional calls can be scheduled as required to cover specific topics, and can include contacting prior expedition team members such as medics to draw on their wisdom. We log call notes, to enable those who miss calls to stay abreast of developments. 

This course will be delivered via Zoom video conferencing. Access details will be emailed shortly before the event after sign-up.

We can accommodate applicants joining after the course start date in March. Note: there are no discounts or refunds for unattended sessions. Our standard event Policy applies.

What is covered

Topics covered include:

• Building an optimal team culture
• The expedition mindset
• Risk assessment and calibration
• Goal alignment
• Budgeting
• Fitness, health and wellbeing
• Negotiations and conflict resolution
• Equipment and supplies
• Managing local and home relationships
• Ethics
• Post expedition debrief

Course materials

Over the duration of the course the cohort will build an expedition planning knowledge base and standard operating procedures (SOPs) available to all attendees, the lessons from which can be applied to a wide range of situations.

Certified Wilderness First Responders

If you are a certified and active Wilderness First Responder please drop your details here, whereby a discount to this course may apply. 

Supporting the mission

The funds generated by this course support our mission to provide meaningful, sustainable incomes for remote mountain communities in the Afghan Pamir, through the publication of a trail map, and associated activities.

About your instructor

The Expedition Mindset Course is run by Jan Chipchase, Founder of Studio D. 

Over a twenty+ year career Jan has run complex projects on behalf of multinational clients across the globe. Jan will return to Afghanistan for the 2025 expedition season.

--

Photo: Charley Zheng

Mapping the Afghan Pamir (MAP) | Masterclass FAQ | Event Policy